Translations of Tibetan Buddhist Texts
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Latest translation
Added 19 January 2020
Aspiration of the Mahāmudrā of Definitive Meaning
by the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje
Among the most celebrated texts in the whole Tibetan Buddhist tradition, this beautiful prayer of aspiration by the Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284–1339) succinctly conveys the spirit and profundity of the Mahāmudrā view and practice.
Other recent additions
January 2020
The Lament of Rudra | Confession
from the Words of the Buddha
Another popular liturgy taken from the Immaculate Confession Tantra (Dri med bshags rgyud). The version here is taken from that tantra's eleventh chapter. A slightly different version with an additional two lines, which appears as part of the Tukdrup Barché Kunsel (thugs sgrub bar chad kun sel) cycle, is available here. Read text >
Notes on the Seven Points of Mind Training | Mind Training
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
These notes on the Seven Points of Mind Training appear to derive from the celebrated commentary of Sé Chilbu Chökyi Gyaltsen (1121–1189). The notes do not cover the entire root text and their brevity is suggestive of lecture notes or an aide-memoire. Read text >
The Sādhana and Empowerment for the Extremely Close Lineage of the Long-Life Practice that Unites the Oral, Treasure and Visionary Teachings | Longevity
by Chöje Lingpa
This pith instruction for accomplishing longevity (tshe sgrub) through Thangtong Gyalpo (1361–1485?) is said to bring together the oral, treasure and visionary teachings. According to its colophon, Chöjé Lingpa received the instruction from Thangtong Gyalpo directly in a vision. Jamgön Kongtrul included the text in the Precious Treasury of Revelations (Rinchen Terdzö). Read text >
The Noble Dhāraṇī of Sitātapatrā Born from the Tathāgata’s Uṣṇīṣa, Great Dispeller of Invincible Might and Supreme Accomplishment | Dhāraṇī
from the Words of the Buddha
This popular canonical work, which is included in the Kangyur (Tōh. 591), teaches the incantation (dhāraṇī) and rituals associated with the goddess Sitātapatrā, who is renowned for her power to avert or repel all types of spirits, demons, obstacles, misfortune and disease and is thus invoked by many Tibetan Buddhists on a daily basis. Read text >
Concise Offering of the Body from the Root Text of the Heart Accomplishment of the Guru Tukdrup, The Essential Manual of Oral Instructions (Shaldam Nyingjang) | Chöd
by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
A simple practice of Chöd ('severance') extracted from the Essential Manual of Oral Instructions (zhal gdams snying byang), which is part of the Chokling Tersar, and supplemented by verses of introduction and conclusion composed by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Read text >
Highlights from archive
Aspiration for the Stages of the Path | Lamrim
by Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa
This very short prayer of aspiration, just seven quatrains long, focuses on accomplishing the stages of the path (lamrim) as a means to benefit all beings. Read text >
A Song of Amazement Inspired by Practice Experience | Meditation
by Sera Khandro
This song of amazement originates in a vision that Sera Khandro had while staying in retreat at Nyimalung in Amdo at the age of twenty-nine. The text is her response to the spirits and demons who appeared to her and asked what she was doing. Read text >
* Lotsāwa ལོ་ཙཱ་བ་; lo tsā ba n. Title used for native Tibetan translators who worked together with Indian scholars (or paṇḍitas) to translate major buddhist texts into Tibetan from Sanskrit and other Asian languages; it is said to derive from lokacakṣu, literally "eyes of the world". See also paṇḍita.
